A place for reviews and discussion of current music from independent artists and composers, as always, all feedback is welcome and appreciated

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Monday, December 29, 2014

Interview: Doug Briney

MW: Thank you so much for giving us your time today – I’m
really looking forward to hearing more about your music!

DB: Thank you, it is my privilege to share and I look
forward to it.

MW: Could you describe your music for the uninitiated out
there?

DB: I tell folks it is Country, but to classify it further
it is Positive Country. I am more a
traditional country artist.

MW: A lot of the readers of this blog are curious about the
recording end of productions – could you let us know what your studio set up is
like?

DB: Well, right now, I don’t have a studio set up
regularly. So my studio is very
portable. Here are the components of
what I have and use when I’m set up. I
use a MacBook Pro with Pro-Logic, I use a great tube Mic by Apex (I’ve upgraded
the tube and love the sound it captures),
Ultimate-Ear Headphones, Samson Reference Monitors and I use a Audio-One
interface to go from mics and instruments into the computer. When I set up, I use two rooms, one obviously
for the recording and the other for the control and engineer. I use blankets and quilts to deaden the sound
and record in a small room (9x10) with wood floors. So usually I’m able to get a great sound. The main reason I don’t set up all the time
now though is here in Nashville there are so many great studios with engineers
who are fantastic. I personally love
Sweetwater Studio on Music Row, Dennis Money owns and operates it and he has
been doing this for over 30 years. He is
top notch and is a real pleasure to work with.

MW: How old were you when you first started doing music?
What was your first instrument?

DB: Well, my first solo was in church when I was 2 years
old. I started playing piano in about
the 2nd grade and then trumpet in 4th grade. I stayed very active singing in youth choirs,
school band all the way through college where I was a music major and graduated
with my degree in Music Performance.

MW: Who do you think are some of your biggest influences?

DB: Kenny Rogers is always at the top of my list, Larry
Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Lee Greenwood and Alabama are the main
influences from my early years, some others that are maybe more current Toby
Keith, Vince Gill, Sugarland, Ronnie Dunn and really the list goes on and
on. It seems every time I hear music I’m
listening and thinking “That’s really cool, I’d like to try that.” Sometimes I try it and it sounds terrible
other times I begin using what I’ve heard, so when I say, “I am influenced by
many” it really is true.

MW: Were there any individuals that really helped you out in
your journey? Who were they?

DB: I have to say my grad school band teacher Mr Shury was a
big influence and help to my love for music.
In college I had a couple of fantastic professors that really helped me,
Dr Sam Moore and Janet Bastin. Since
I’ve been doing this as a profession, my manager Michael Stover with MTS has
been a great help. Alan Shepherd with
the ICoMA then Mr K with Nashville Universe has introduced me to a ton of folks
and has been an incredible friend and support since moving here to
Nashville. I also have to mention Mick
and Lacie Jay Womack who run VRadio Nashville.
They have been great friends and huge supporters of me.

MW: What was the craziest thing you ever encountered in a
live scenario?

DB: Well, last week is what is stuck in my mind right
now. My band and I were playing a four
hour show and about halfway through the show a nearly brand new pair of jeans I
was wearing “Gave Out” in the crotch area.
I mean from the front to the back then ripped across my butt as
well. It got mighty breezy and all I
could do was just keep on singing and having fun. (I want to add that I contacted the jean
manufacturer and they are sending me a replacement pair and said it had to be a
defective pair. All I know is although I
do move around I don’t do any splits or kicks and I don’t wear my jeans that
tight! So ya… that’s what is in my mind
right now about crazy things that can happen live.

MW: Could you tell us about your latest release?

DB: Super Country Cowboy is my latest CD and I’m really
proud of it! I’m so excited with the
great reviews and the way people have been accepting it, it is awesome! It is a 9 song CD and the way I describe it
is by telling folks if you want to really know who Doug Briney is, listen to
every song. They all have special
meaning to me and tell a bit of my life’s story. From the title track “Super Country Cowboy”
which is a real fun song to the very serious and swampy “Eugene Fuquay” each
song I think stands on it’s own.
“Unknown Soldier” is a special song to me as it pays tribute to all the
men and women who have served this great country and I’m vey proud of how it
has been received by our troops.

MW: Sounds awesome, where can people go to hear more about you?

DB: The easiest place is at my website: www.dougbriney.com from there they can
click the links to visit my Facebook fanpage, Twitter and Reverbnation
pages. They can also order a CD directly
from me there or if they prefer they can click the link that takes them
directly to my iTunes page.

MW: Thanks again for taking this time to chat!

DB: Again, thank you for allowing me to be here. Also thank you for the support and to the
fans out there, thank you! Ya’ll are
incredible.